Steering gear



Dec. 11,1923.. www@ G.A.B1| GERE STEERING GEAR Filed Jan. 1 7.' 1921 Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

GEORGE A. BILGERE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.-

STEERING Gm.

Application led January 17, 1 921.

To all 'whom t m y concemi Be it known tha I, Gnonen A. Bimnnn, a citi'zen of the United States, and residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented the 5 new and useful Improvement in Steering Gears, of whichi'the following is a specification. A; J" This invention 'relates to steering gears, and more particularly to theft reventing means adapted to render the w eel selectively-effective or ineffective, as releasing the wheel from the shaft so as'to prevent eliective steering of the automobile.

One of the objects of .this invention is provide a steering wheel which when in for steering,

. steering position ,is effective posiand which when moved to non-steerin that o tion. p

vide a steering gear in which the ,wheel mounted for free rotation' on the shaft and for movementto operative and inoperativeA position, but whereby when theI ,wheel is moved to inoperative osition, it is not only released from the sha t to spin thereon, but is maintained in that condition until again rendered operative.

.Further objects will` appear from the detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1l is a plan o f a wheel of a steering gear eI bodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section on the line '2f-2, Figure 1; i' .-S

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Figure 2;and

lure 2. l Referring `-"to the accompanying drawing, l designates the operated element, such as the usual steering shaft which however, 'in Vthisi casehas keyed thereon a sleeve 2 maintained'iin position by a washer 3 and a nut 4-screwed on a reduced threaded end 5` of the shaft. This sleeve has a series of sock@ v ets 6' therein and has an-enlarged portion 7 forming a shoulder. 1 o

`The steering-wheel comprises a rim 8 nounted on a frame 9 whi'ehin turn ie- 'pifvoled by a shaft 10 on a carrierll. This carrier 11 lits over' the sleeve 2 and rests thereon and into the carrier andmnga 'ng a oove 13 B5 in the sleeve, so netgiaintam t e carrier ed to .engage a socket in the tlon is endered ineffective and loc ed the 'socket and Another object of this invention is'- to pro-V Aand is further acted u on Figure 4 ,is anelilarged detail4 of- Fig- L 'ing pgsition, as shown 1 the is secured'by a pin 12 driven Serial No. 437,825.

for rotative movement on the sleeve,I but p revent its withdrawal. The top of the carrler is closed so as to cover the connections to the wheel, and the shaft 10 is not only fixed in the steering wheel frame but the ends are also riveted over. The in 12 is furthermore not only driven ,tig tly into the carrier, but it only extends partly therethrough and its outer end is flush with the carrier so as to prevent its withdrawal.

With this pivotal construction the wheel 1s mounted for movement to perative or steering position, steering position. The wheel lswings on the faxis l0, but in order to secure t4 in position, a

plunger 14 is provided in thqf-rame adaptif-rior, a spring and to inoperative or nonv 15 being provided to retain'xe plunger in Y rovided this plunger` ing d iawal.

with a knob 16 to ermitrits wit Accordingly by with the wheel canibe swung upwardly on its shaft to inoperative or non-steeringi'position.

Mounted in the carrier is a bolt 1 which is adapted to cooperate.with an vvof the sockets 6 in the sleeve 2 and this provided with a rack cooperatin lv'vith a segment 18 fixed tothe shaft 10. olmted also in the carrier is a lock bolt 19 arranged to cooperate with a recess or keeper 20 in the bolt 17',V the end of the bolt 17 being beveled to cooperate with the cooperating beveled face on the bolt 19. The bolt 19 is normally heldin operative position b the spring 2l y the movable element 22 of any suita lle l'ock 23. j

When the .wheel is in opertive or Steernigures 1' and 2, lt 17` will have entered' one fof theA sockets 6 to to' 'the shaft. When the driver'desires to leave the automobile, he will whee to .inoperative or non-steering poeh tion. This will withdraw the bolt 17 from its enga bolt is securely lock or fix the A-Wh'e'el drawing the plunger, A

webdev-the" plunger 1 4 vfrom its socketfand .them 1 cause the segment 18to ged socket, thereby releasing the wheel from..

the shaft and permitting it to spin thereon.

This releasing movement of the bolt will, however, cause it to cooperate with the lock' bolt 19 so that the latter will'be depressed against snapped into therecess or keeper 20.v The the tension of its spring and. then Wheel is now not only held in inoperative IL10 or non-steering position but the wheel is free on the shaft'so that it can spin thereon and lit cannot be again fixed to the shaft nor can it be lowered until the lock bolt. 19 has been Withdrawn from its keeper 2O to release, the bltl?. This can only be accomplished by'- the insertion of a key` into the ook 23 which will withdraw the lock bolt 19, release the bolt 17 and permit the wheel to be lowered. The lowering ofthe wheel to o rative or steering position will cause the olt'17 toagain enter one of the sockets 6 andsecurely'fix the wheel to the shaft,

the parts being held in operative'. position by t e plunger 14.

tion accomplishes its objects.v lVhen thedriver leaves thel automobile he will naturally raisev the wheel; this operation will, however, not only release the wheel. rotatively, but will also lock it in that' condition and position, and this is done automatically.

without requiring the use of a key at that time. In accordance with this invention', not only is the bolt' guarded against miauthorized manipulation on account-of itsbe'-` ing inclosed and inaccessible, but the mechasv nism retaining it is a lock which requires:

for its-manipulation a key or like means within the control .only of the authorized person. It is, therefore, insured that whenthe automobile isleft stan'ding,"ihe wheelwill be placed in-condition and -position te\ preventv theft thereof. Furthermore, Iwhen the driver enters the car, he

must necessarily lower the wheel, but this fixes the same to the shaft it is, therefore, insured that when the automobile is Started..

the wheel will be fixed to theshaft.

In accordance with'this invention, therefore,-the bolt, which is secured against unauthorized'manipulationf is adapted to selectively render the wheel veffective and .in-

effective to.operate'.tl1e operated element or shaft when the wheel is in steering and nonsteering positions `respectively, while the lock is ada ted to automaticallyl lock the bolt in ine ective relation when-.the wheel is moved to non-steering position; however, the lock permits movement of the wheel. to

non-steeringposition and' locks both the.

wheelandthe bolt when the' wheelis so moved.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to vbe limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described the invention,'\i'hat is claimed is:

1. A steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a wheel mounted for freerotation and for movement to o erative and inoperative positions, m'eans' or fixing said wheel against It will, therefore, be seen that-the inven rotation'on saidl shaft, lock controlled means adapted to retain .and guard said wheel in inoperative' position and against unauthorized manipulation, and means operated upon -.movement of said wheel to 'inoperative position adapted to release the-same' rotatively and eliect cooperation with' said lock a wheel mounted for free rotationand for movement to operative and inoperative positions, means for fixing said wheel against rotation on said shaft, and means guarded against uuauthorizedgmanipulation and operatedupon moveme'it of said wheel-to in- Aoperatixfg position adapted to release the' same roiatively and lock the Same against connection to said shaft.

'4. A steering gear, comprising,.,a shaft, a wheel mounted for free rotation and for movement to operative and inoperative .positions, means for fixing said wheel .against rotationon said shaft/and'fxjneans guarded against unauthorized manipulation and operated upon movement olfy Said'wheel to inoperative position adapted to"l vrelease the same rotatively and lock the same in such inoperative position and against 4connection to'said shaft.

5. A steering gear, comprising, a shaft,

a wheel mounted for reerotation and for movement to operative and inoperative positions, a bolt guarded ,against unauthorized manipulation for fixing vsaid wheel against ,rotation on said shaft,a lock adapted to se- 4cure said bolt, and kmeans operated `upon movement of said wheel adapted to cause cooperation of said bolt with said lock.

6. A steering gear, comprising,ashaft,

a wheel mounted for free rotation and "for movement 'to operative and inoperative positions, a bolt guarded against unauthorized lmanipulation for fixing said wheel vainst rotation on said shaft, a lock adaptedto secure said bolt and said wheel, and means operated upon movement of .saidwheel adapted to cause cooperation ofsaid bolt with said lock.

7. A steering gear, comprising,V ashaft, a wheel mounted for free rotation and for movement to operative and inoperative pos'itions, a bolt guarded against unauthorized manipulation for fixing said wheel against rotation onvsaid shaft, a lock ,adapted to sei' Cure .said bolt in releasing position, and

l sitions, a bolt guarded rotation on said shaft,

i lmovement to lrotation means operated upon movement of said wheel adapted to cause cooperation of said bolt with said lock;

steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a Wheel mounted for free rotation 4 movement to operative and inoperative positions, a bolt uarded against unauthorized manipulation or fixing said 4-vvheel against rotation on said shaft, a lock adapted to secure said bolt, and means operated upon movement of said wheel to inoperative position adapted to cause cooperation of said bolt with said lock.

steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a wheel mounted forifree rotation and for movement to operative and inoperative poagainst unauthorized cure said bolt in releasing position,A and means operated upon movement of said wheel to inoperative position adapted to cause cooperation of said bolt with said lock.

A steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a wheel mounted for free rotation and for operative and inoperative posi a -bolt for fixing said wheel against rotation on said shaft, a lock adapted to se- `cure said bolt, and an operating connection tween said `Wheel and said bolt adapted to t engagesad b olt with said lock.'

steerin ear com risin a shaft, mountegd g:for free Il'btatiogn and for operative land inoperative posifor fixing said wheel aga' on said shaft, a lock adapted to sebolt, and an operatin connection between said wheel and s aid bo t adaptedI toL wheel tions, a bolt 12. steering gear, a Wheel mounted for free rotation and for movement to operative and inoperative pos' tions, a bolt for fixing said wheel a'n t' rotation on said shaft, a lock adapt ,se-

cure said bolt'and said wheel, and,J operating connection between said vfiael' and said io l adapted to engage said bolt with said 13. A steering gear, f/coinprising, a shaft a wheel mounted for rotation and for movement to operative and inoperative' positionsf'a bolt -for fi -rotation on said shaft, a lock cure said bolt in .rele sing position, and Van operating connection y et-ween said wheel and said bolt adapted to y)engage said bolt with said lock.

14. steering a wheel mounted :tpr free rotation and for against rotation on said shaft, a lock adapted to secure said bolt'in releasing position and said wheel in inoperative position, and an operatment to operative and connection between said Wheel and said adapted to engage said bolt with said tion, 'lock said bolt.- f

17. A steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a wheel mounted for free rotation and for movement to operative and inoperative positions, a lock, means adapted to fix said Wheel to said shaft When the Wheel is in operative position, and means for releasing said from said shaft upon movement of said wheel to inoperative position, adapted to effect cooperation of said fixing means with said lock. i

1'8. A` steering gear, comprising, a steering shaft, steering wheel adapted lfor movement to operative and inoperative posi- A steering gear, comprising, 'a shaft, e ll mounted on said shaft and for movel to operative and inoperative nipulation adapted effective to operate said shaft, and means effective upoir movement of said wheel to inoperative position/ adapted to lock said means. t I

20. A steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a Wheel mounted on said shaft'and f inoperative a bolt adapted to control the operation of said shaft by said wheel, and means guarded manipulation and effetive upon movement of said wheel to inoperative position adapted to operate and automatically lock vsaid bolt.

21. A steering gear,comprising, an operelement, a-wheel positions,

unauthorized manipulation adapted to selectively render` said wheel effective and ine' said element when said wheel is in steering and non-steering positions respectively, and means adapted to automatically lock said ective to operate.

meansv in ineffective relation when said' wheel is moved to non-steering position.

22. A steerin lgear, comprising, an operated element, a Wheel mounted for movement to steering and non-steering positions,

means secured against unauthorized manipf ulation adapted to selectively render said wlieel' effective and ineffective to operate said element when said Wheel is in steeringand non-steering positions respectively, and means permitting movement ot' said whento non-steering position adapted to lock said means in ineffective relation when said wheel is so moved.

QBUA steering gear, comprising a shaft, a Wheel mounted on said shaft and for movement to operative and inoperative positions, means secured against unauthorized manipulation adapted to render said wheel 29 ineffective to operate said shaft, and means effective upon movement of said Wheel to inoperative position adapted tov lock said means with said `wheel in inoperative position. t

24. A steering gear, comprising, a shaft, a wheel mounted on said shaft and for movement to operative and inoperative positions,-means secured against unauthorized manipulation adapted to render said `wheel 30 ineffective to operate said shaft and adapted tol retain said wheel in inoperative position, and means effective upon movement of said wheel to inoperative position adapted to locksaid means.

25. A steeringT gear, comprising. a shaft, a wheel mounted on said shaft and for movement to operative and inoperative positions,

lmeans secured against unauthorized manipulation andinterconneeted `With said Wheel adaptedA to render said Wheel. ineffective to operate said shaft when said Wheel is moved to inoperative position, and means effective upon movement of said Wheelv to inoperative position adapted to lock saidv means.

26. A steering gear, comprising, an operated element, a wheel mounted 'for movement to steering and non-steering positions, means secured against unauthorized manipulation adapted to selectively render said vvheel effective and` ineffective to operate said element when said Wheel is in steering and non-steering positions respectively, and means'adapted to automatically lock said means in ineffective relation and said wheel in non-steering position when said Wheel iS moved to non-'steering position.

27. A steering gear, comprising, an operated element, a -Wheel mounted for move-I ment to steering and non-steering positions, means secured against unauthorized manipulation adapted' to selectively render said wheel effective and ineffective to operate said element when said Wheel is in steering and non-steering positions respectively, and means adapted to automatically lock said means in ineffective relation when said Wheel is moved to non-steering position, said locking means being adapted for authorized manipulation in order to permit said Wheel to be moved back to effective steering position.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature this 16th day of December, 1920.

GEORGE A. BILGERE. 

